Nepal: Nepal is expected to see a demand of around 450,000 rose stems during Valentine’s Week from February 7 to 14. Due to cold weather conditions, domestic production will be able to meet only about 30 percent of market demand, while the remaining 70 percent of roses will need to be imported from India. The total commercial turnover of roses during Valentine’s Week is estimated to reach approximately NPR 56.2 million.
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During the week of Valentine’s Day, which is celebrated
as a festival of love, Nepal is expected to witness a demand of around 450,000 rose stems.
According to the Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN),
about 450,000 stems of roses (Dutch roses) will be consumed
during Valentine’s Week, which runs from February 7 to 14.
Although market demand for roses remains high,
unfavorable weather conditions have once again forced Nepal to depend on
imports due to insufficient domestic production this year.
FAN states that during the winter season, the flowering
process of roses slows down and overall production declines. As a result,
domestic production can meet only around 30
percent of total demand, making it necessary to import the remaining 70 percent from India and other countries.
Nepal is expected to see a demand of around 450,000 rose stems during Valentine’s Week from February 7 to 14.
Due to cold weather conditions, domestic production will be able to meet only about 30 percent of market demand, while the remaining 70 percent of roses will need to be imported from India.
The total commercial turnover of roses during Valentine’s Week is estimated to reach approximately NPR 56.2 million.
According to FAN General Secretary Hiramani Sharma, although
Nepal is gradually moving toward self-sufficiency in rose production under
normal conditions, it is unable to meet demand during the cold month of
February.
“Except for Valentine’s Day, we are largely
self-sufficient,” Sharma said. “However, due to extremely high demand during
this one week and reduced production caused by cold weather, imports are
unavoidable.”
He added that to overcome seasonal challenges and achieve
year-round self-sufficiency, high-tech greenhouse technology is required, which
is currently insufficient in Nepal. Without scientific and advanced farming
systems, it is difficult to stop imports during this season.
Price Increase: Up to NPR 150 per Rose
According to FAN, the retail price of a single rose is
expected to range from NPR 100 to
NPR 150 per stem, compared to NPR 90 to NPR 120 last
year.
General Secretary Sharma pointed out that the main reason
for the price hike is the increase in rose prices in India. “Price increases
over time are natural, but this year rose prices in India have increased by
nearly 20 percent,” he said. “Since roses are imported at a
higher cost, prices here also rise. Additionally, value addition through
decoration and packaging can cause price variations from shop to shop.”
However, FAN claims that there is no significant
difference in quality between imported and domestically produced roses.
Business Expected to Exceed NPR 56 Million
If the supply of roses remains smooth, the total
commercial transaction during Valentine’s Week is projected to reach around NPR
56.2 million.
Last year, approximately 425,000 rose stems were traded during the same period. Since 70 percent of the trade depends on imports, a large amount
of money is certain to flow out of the country.
This means that out of the total Valentine’s Day turnover,
about NPR 39.34 million will be spent on imported (Indian) roses.
Highest Consumption in Kathmandu Valley
Out of the total demand, 60 percent (270,000 rose
stems) will be consumed in the Kathmandu Valley. The remaining 40 percent (180,000
stems) is expected to be consumed in cities such as Pokhara, Dharan, Chitwan,
Biratnagar, and others. On normal days, Nepal’s daily demand for roses ranges
between 8,000 and 12,000
stems.
Currently, commercial rose farming is carried out in the
three districts of the Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur) as
well as Chitwan, Kavrepalanchok, and Rupandehi, with cultivation gradually
expanding to other districts as well.
The Floriculture Association
Nepal (FAN) estimates that the total commercial turnover during Valentine’s
Week will reach approximately NPR 56.2 million. Because of reliance on imports
and an increase in rose prices in India, consumers in Nepal will have to pay
higher prices this year. The retail price of a single rose is expected to range
between NPR 100 and NPR 150, compared to NPR 90–120 last year.
About 60 percent of the total
demand—around 270,000 rose stems—will be consumed in the Kathmandu Valley,
while the remaining demand will come from cities such as Pokhara, Chitwan,
Biratnagar, and Dharan.
Although Nepal is close to
being self-sufficient in rose production during most of the year, FAN states
that cold February weather and a short period of exceptionally high demand make
imports unavoidable. According to FAN, achieving year-round self-sufficiency
would require wider use of high-tech greenhouse farming systems, which are
currently insufficient.
